Ugandan president to leave for Libya on AU mission

KAMPALA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will this weekend leave for Libya on an African Union (AU) mission to help end the turmoil in the North African country, a senior Foreign Ministry official said here on Wednesday.

James Mugume, permanent secretary of the ministry, told Xinhua by telephone that Museveni will travel to the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott where he will meet four other heads of state on an AU- appointed panel, before heading to Libya.

"The president's travel arrangements are being worked on. President Museveni will leave on Saturday or Sunday," Mugume said.

The AU last week set up an ad hoc committee to engage with all parties in Libya, facilitate an inclusive dialogue and engage AU partners for the speedy resolution of the crisis.

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi are battling with rebels seeking to end his rule of 42 years.

The members on the AU committee also include South African President Jacob Zuma, President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, President Amadou Toumani Toure of Mali, and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.